Dylan Rees says taking part in the Europa League was ‘magnificent’ despite going out to Progrès Niederkorn

Dylan Rees says competing in the Europa League was “magnificent” after Cardiff Met’s debut campaign in the Europa League ended after their home defeat to Progrès Niederkorn.

Rees put Met two goals to the on the night from the spot before Mayron De Almeida’s away goal sent the Luxembourg side through to play Cork City in the first round. 

The former Cardiff City youngster put in a composed performance in what was a well organised Met backline.

“I think it was magnificent it’s what you dream off playing European football,” he said proudly.

“I know it’s only the preliminary rounds but it’s European Football at the end of the day. 

“We want to do it again we’ve got a taste for it and we’ve got the hunger to do it again next year.

“We all knew we had to do something different, they were technically very good. 

“We knew we had to go a little more direct put them under the pressure at the back and that’s what we did. 

“We got two goals from it playing that way, just so disappointed to concede obviously but that’s football.”

Asked how he held his nerve in what was a nervy moment, Rees replied: “I don’t think about the crowd, I don’t think about anybody, just me and the hitting the football sweetly. 

“If you hit the ball sweetly you got a good chance. It was just ice cold like the one in Bala and I tucked it away nicely.”

Met’s second goal put the hosts within a great shout of going through and looked to be taking on the Republic of Ireland outfit before De Almeida’s goal. 

“It was going swimmingly at that point we were 2-0 up, obviously we knew if they scored an away goal that would put them through if it stayed the same. 

“We tried to shut up shop at the back but fair play it was a good goal from them just got to give them credit when it’s due.”

Jordan Lam opened the scoring for the students with a well taken header with his first goal for the Archers for over a year after resigning for the club this summer leaving Rees delighted with his teammate. 

“He’s something we don’t usually have in the team, Adam (Roscrow) was something similar direct obviously he’s gone on to bigger and better things. 

“It’s really important for us to have someone like Lammy come back in who can take people one on one, be more direct and cause people problems.”

With Roscrow recently signing for League One’s AFC Wimbledon and Macaulay Southan-Hales joining Fleetwood Town, Rees says that it’s good to see players been given a chance to play higher up. 

“It is a fabulous league, we’ve got a few good players in the league it’s just pleasing to see.”

“Adam has thoroughly deserved it, he’s been our star player for I’d say two seasons now along with Eliot (Evans). 

“He deserves it, big credit to him and it’s good to see that clubs are looking into our league. 

After winning the double of the Nathaniel MG Cup and the Europa League Play Offs last year, the 22-year-old says the he wants to grow on last season’s successes. 

“Every year we want to progress we want to take it a step further every time we do it. 

“We don’t want to take a step back, just keep progressing as a club and as a group of players, hopefully, we can do that as well. 

“It’s a great group of players, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like it really, togetherness within the side is great. 

“We live together, we work together. we stay together. We are together all the time and it’s a good bond that we’ve got here.” 

Rees would also be full of praise for Director of Football Christian Edwards. 

“He’s the mastermind of it all really, he has his days as we all do but he is the kingpin of this football club and it ticks around him, all credit to Swanny.”

Having openly talked about moving into the professional game, the full-back says he hopes to keep putting in consistent performances week in week out. 

“It was always my ambition to come in and get a degree and hopefully step back into the professional game. 

“I hope my performances reflect that all I can do is try my best for the club first and foremost and then if something comes for me personally then great.”

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)